Cricket: McCullum back to middle order for Sri Lanka test

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will return to the middle order for the Boxing Day test against Sri Lanka in Christchruch. Photo / Getty Images

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum is set to return to the middle-order for the Boxing Day test in Christchurch.

New Zealand Cricket announced the squad for the first test against Sri Lanka this morning, with the lineup containing a few surprises.

McCullum opened with Tom Latham in the recent Pakistan series in the UAE, a move which allowed the Black Caps to play both Jimmy Neesham and Corey Anderson in the middle order. McCullum performed admirably in the role, scoring a double century in the third test in Sharjah.

However, selector Bruce Edgar has made it clear that McCullum's move up the order was only temporary.

"This is another series, in different conditions and against a completely different opponent," said Edgar. "In these circumstances we feel Brendon's better suited to - and offers more value - down the order."

McCullum's move means Otago's Hamish Rutherford is likely to open with Latham.

McCullum wasn't the only point of inetest in the announcement. Off-spinner Mark Craig has been preferred ahead of Ish Sodhi as the side's sole specialist spinner.

Craig and Sodhi played together in the UAE to get the most out of the spin-friendly conditions, but the return to New Zealand pitches meant one had to make way. Craig is likely to receive backup from Kane Williamson, who was recently cleared to bowl again by the ICC after a temporary ban over an illegal action.

The fact that Daniel Vettori wasn't mentioned in the team annoucnement uncerscores the probability that his return to the long-form of the game in the third test in Sharjah was a one-off.

Corey Anderson was unavailable for selection due to injury, which has cleared the way for Northern Districts' Dean Brownlie to make a return to the side.

Anderson suffered a groin strain in the recent one-day international series against Pakistan, which the Black Caps won 3-2.

The test squad:
Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell - Central Stags
Dean Brownlie - Northern Knights
Mark Craig - Otago Volts
Tom Latham - Canterbury
James Neesham - Otago Volts
Hamish Rutherford - Otago Volts
Tim Southee - Northern Knights
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
Neil Wagner - Otago Volts
BJ Watling - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights